Symptoms of excess androgens in women are too often omitted – or rejected as “simply cosmetic”

Acne that will not disappear. Thinning the hair in the crown. Unwanted hair on the face, unpredictable periods, mood swings and weight gain. For millions of women They are not just annoying symptoms – They are signs of a deeper, often ignored state: Androgen excess. Despite affects at least one in ten women around the worldThis hormonal imbalance remains underdeveloped, misunderstood and rejected too often.

Androgens are widely known as “men’s hormones”, but All women have them too. The problem arises when the levels become too high. This excess can harass in many systems In the body, disturbing menstrual cycles, fertility, metabolism and even mental health. However, because some of the more apparent symptoms, such as acne or hirsutismThey are often rejected as cosmetic, Many women don’t get Support or treatment they need.

The most eminent cause of excess androgens is Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is up to 13% of women around the world and costs the USA It is estimated that USD 15 billion (£ 11 BLION) each year.

Get your messages from real experts, straight to the inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive the latest reports from news and research in Great Britain, from politics and business to art and science.

But although PCOS dominates in conversation, it is Not the only condition Behind the excess of androgens. Other, sometimes more solemn, disorders can also cause elevated hormone levels such as hormones emitting tumorsIN Congenital adrenal growth (a group of genetic disorders that affect your adrenal glands), Cushing’s team (sporadic hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to very high levels of cortisol hormone) and Severe insulin resistance. However, it is too often assumed that every woman with high androgens has a PCOS, which can delay the diagnosis From those rarer, but potentially solemn conditions.

The effect of excess androgens goes far beyond the skin. It is related Significant metabolic problems – insulin resistance affects most PCOS women, focusing on a higher one Type 2 diabetes risk. Many live also Higher body weight and are more likely High blood pressureIN liver disease AND Cardiovascular problems.

For some The difficulty of conception Finally, they lead them to seeking medical assistance. But even among women she doesn’t try to get pregnant, Hormonal imbalance can take a toll: Anxiety and depression They are two to three times more often in women with PCOS than in the general population.

And yet hormonal health is still treated too often as a reflection. Many women describe the years of feeling rejected by doctors, said to “come back if you want to get pregnant” or offered little more than contraceptive pills. On average, Women with PCOS Wait for two years and consult with several different health care employees before receiving the diagnosis. Almost half say that their symptoms were initially ignored.

The name itself can be part of the problem. “Policyst ovary syndrome” It is misleading – many women with PCOS have no cysts on their ovaries, and ovarian cysts do not necessarily mean that you have PCOS. It is a complicated metabolic and hormonal disorder, not just reproductive. This is why Some experts and supporters of patients around the world Call to change the name To better reflect the true nature of this state. A more correct label can enhance awareness and improve the way it is diagnosed and treated.

Encouraging that there was a significant step forward in how androgen excess is solved. In June 2024, the Society of Endocrinology in Great Britain New clinical guidelines have been published To facilitate doctors better identify and manage this condition. These guidelines include clear diagnostic paths, recommendations for conducting blood tests or scans and tips when to refer patients to specialist care. Most importantly, they admit that excess androgens can affect women of all ages – not only in reproductive years.

Real difference

Publishing guidelines are just the first step. To really change the lives of women, there must be several things. First of all, there must be larger investments in research. We still do not fully understand why some women develop excess androgens, while others do not or why symptoms differ so much between individuals. Women’s health research It has not been financed for a long time And the conditions related to Androgen are no exception.

Doctors also need better training. General doctors, gynecologists, dermatologists and even specialists in mental health have to play the role in recognizing the signs of excess androgens. If they do not feel confident, identifying the symptoms or knowing when to conduct a further examination, women will continue to fall through cracks.

Equally crucial, women need access to clear, trustworthy information. There is too much Left to Google their symptoms or rely on online forums. Knowledge about what to look for – and what to ask a doctor – may allow women to tell and obtain the care they deserve.

Finally, we have to go to more combined, holistic care. Hormonal health does not exist in a vacuum. It affects – and has an impact – mental well -being, lifestyle, metabolism and reproductive health. Effective treatment means looking at the whole image, not just rewriting a pill or focusing on fertility itself.

Excess androgens may be imperceptible to those who do not experience it, but its influence is deep. He flew under the radar too long. Thanks to better understanding, better care and a stronger voice of women’s health, we can seriously ensure the treatment of hormonal symptoms – and treated with urgency and compassion they deserve.